Yes, it’s hard to believe, but it’s true: this is the 1000th post on this blog.
Form the outset, I intended to critically comment on as many alternative modalities (treatments and diagnostic methods) as I can. This is the (probably not totally complete) list of what we covered:
Acupressure
Acupuncture
Agrohomeopathy
Anthroposophic medicine
Alexander technique
Alkaline diet
Aloe vera
Antioxidants
Applied kinesiology
Arnica
Aromatherapy
Autogenic training
Ayurveda
Bach flower remedies
Bioresonance
Biopuncture
Bowen technique
Calcium supplements
Cancer diets
Chelation therapy
Chinese herbal medicine
Chiropractic
Chondroitin
Colloidal silver
Copper chloride biocrystallisation
Cranio-sacral therapy
Crystal healing
Cupping
Detox
Dietary supplements
Distant healing
Ear candles
Emotional freedom techniques
Energy healing
Eurythmy
Evening primrose oil
Faith healing
Feverfew
Fish oil
Ginkgo biloba
Ginseng
Glucosamine
Gua sha
Heilpraktiker
Herbal medicine
Holistic dentistry
Homeopathy
Homeoprohylaxis
Homeotoxicology
Hypnotherapy
Integrative medicine
Iridology
Johrei healing
Kampo
Khalifa therapy
Kinesiology tape
Laetrile
Leech therapy
Lymph-drainage
Marijuana
Massage
Mind-body therapies
Mindfulness-based stress reduction
Mistletoe
Moxibustion
Mushrooms
Naturopathy
Neutraceuticals
Oscillococcinum
Osteopathy
Paleo diet
Pilates
Placebo
Plant sterols
Pranic healing
Prayer
Qigong
Reiki
Reflexology
Rhino horn
Shiatsu
Self-Reiki
Shujing massage
Slimming aids
Slapping therapy
Soy
Spinal manipulation
Spinal mobilisation
Spiritual healing
St Johns Wort
Tai chi
TCM
Therapeutic Touch
Transcendental meditation
Tui na
Tumeric
Urine therapy
Veterinary homeopathy
Vibrational medicine
Vitamin C
Yoga
IMPRESSIVE?
In addition, we discussed all sorts of general issues which are not directly related to one specific modality. Most importantly, we had plenty of discussions and debates – not always as well-mannered as I had hoped (my mistake entirely) but usually instructive and interesting. Today, there were almost 30 000 comments!!!
The comments are the most important feature of this blog, I feel. And because they are so crucial, I would like to say to all commenters: MANY THANKS, WITHOUT YOU THIS WOULD NOT BE HALF AS MUCH FUN!
And here is my promise on this day of celebration: I will continue to do my best to amuse, entertain and inform you with my comments, rants and ramblings. As the subject of alternative medicine is not going to disappear in a hurry, I am not worried to run out of exciting material.
…and now, let’s find the champagne bottle!
Don’t worry.
Colin and Iqbal- think of them as a present-day Cannon and Ball- look keen to provide a flow of material.
VERY MANY CONGRATULATIONS!
Here’s to the next one thousand!
Your books are phenomenal and your pithy, perspicacious, vitally necessary and always witty posts have become a distinct enjoyment to my life. Please continue to write and we’ll continue to read and spread your insights.
Congratulations on kilo posting your excellent blog. I’ve learned a lot from it: thanks very much for hosting it.
Good effort….keep shining he reality beacon through the foggy noise that is pseudoscience.
How about looking at low level laser therapy (LLLT) the industry that has grown up around it and the extraordinary claims made without the provision of extraordinary proof?
Here is a good example https://www.thorlaser.com/pet/.
In this example someone is actually shining a laser directly into the eye of a dog. Pardon my language but WTF is going on here. Besides perhaps animal abuse and charlatanism these people know nothing about science except that you can buy a shitload of studies on anything you want “published” in obscure foreign journals and extrapolate in vitro results to in vivo applications spaning the spectrum of species and the encyclopedia of maladies.
Thank you Edzard and please I hope the rounds session on vin is going to be made a reality.
thanks
the VIN lecture is on the 15th.
Yes the Class IIIb and more recently the “hot, high-power” Class IV lasers are ubiquitous especially in Chiropractic. And like Chiropractic can only be seen to make sense through a crazy prism. The FDA, Aetna and Blue Cross have all deemed them ‘investigational’ and insurance won’t pay, however millions of suckers gladly hand over $25-100.00 per 8-10min session. Photobiomodulation is the scam buzzword.
I’ve seen many unctuous clinicians waving these things in the sign-of-a-cross (over clothing and several inches above the patient) to super-enhance their spiritual healing power. Which of course most of would agree only makes sense,
Dr. Ernst,
VIN has the round listed as happening on June 15th
” Thursday, June 15, 2017, 1:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time – VIN Rounds
(Sunday, June 15, 1 pm ET)
Join Edzard Ernst, MD, PhD, FMedSci, FSB, FRCP, FRCPEd, for Homeopathy – Errors and Facts.
This session will feature audio and a GoToWebinar. Register for the GoToWebinar to attend this Rounds.
Add to Calendar”
I requested they confirm with you.
Thanks
that’s what I said, isn’t it?
I asked VIN to correct the ” (Sunday June 15th)” part since the 15th is a Thursday.
Yes Michael, my field is filled with laser selling charlatans…. Once a week I get offers to buy them and monthly people come to my office selling them. The markup on those devices must be incredible. The gobbledygook sales pitch about mitochondrial stimulation is so bogus…. Plus do you think there are actually established “dosages ” of power wavelength and time for different maladies, in different species…? I often tell the lllt salesforce that instead of buying that $40,000 Laser, I could simply fill a palpation sleeve with a warm bran mash apply it to the affected area and get the same result.
Thank you for your work, Edzard. Reading your very informative column has become an important part of my daily routine. I’m looking forward to reading more of your work in the years to come.
Grazie mille per tutti!
From your last post, “Currently, over 50 000 000 websites promote alternative medicine”, so you have 49999000 to go!
Keep up the good work.
Yes, laser therapy has a history of dozens years, it can treat a wide range of acute and chronic pain, it is Top 25 Cold laser Therapy Research, Low Level Laser Therapy Case study
https://healthcaremarts.com/blogs/healthcare-center/cold-laser-therapy-research
Edzard
“The comments are the most important feature of this blog, I feel. And because they are so crucial, I would like to say to all commenters: MANY THANKS, WITHOUT YOU THIS WOULD NOT BE HALF AS MUCH FUN!”
138 comments (including this) for the last 10 posts against earlier average of 30!!!!!!!!
Great going. Statistically, You are going in the right direction.
Continue with your removing of comments that you “JUDGE” to be “trying to sully your REPUTATION”.
Next target for comments per post: 3.8 average?
thank you for your undoubtedly warm-felt and honest congratulations.